Dual Computer Hybrid
The Blackrock is a dual computer hybrid: The dedicated console CPU provides processing for up to 256 full channels and their associated signal processing and bussing, with 40 bit floating point architecture underpinning absolute sonic performance. Meanwhile, the firewalled Integration CPU provides secure access to the file management, diagnostics and SNMP facilities.

Processing Capabilities for Audio Distinction
The Blackrock's internal processing architecture is 40 bit floating point, underpinning absolute sonic performance,using algorithms modelled from SSL's legendary analogue consoles. The internal audio sample rate can be set to 48 or 44.1kHz, and sample-rate conversion is performed in 24 bit.

The console can be synchronised to a number of external clock sources, such as video sync, wordclock or AES11/DARS signals. Jitter performance is better than 4ps, accomplishing an exemplary low noise floor, as well as an image stability and audio quality which comfortably exceed the demands of HD 5.1 production.

Exceptional reliability and ease of maintenance
The Blackrock offers the exceptional level of reliability which SSL customers have come to expect, and which the broadcast industry demands. Extensive redundancy comes as standard, with the option of a complete redundant processing core. The operating system, application software and computer hardware are all entirely unique to SSL, providing total protection against viruses and removing any need for constant security updates and virus-checking, even when moving projects between facilities.
SSL's own diagnostic software keeps a constant eye-out for erroneous code, and logs the console's operating conditions over SNMP, enabling faults to be detected and corrected pre-emptively. If a fault cannot be corrected, remote diagnostics enable SSL engineers to find and fix faults, often without waiting for an onsite visit. About 10% of the console's code consists of these watchdog routines and system diagnostics.

The console's DSP has its own self-healing software, providing fast, fault-tolerant processing recovery, with the status of each DSP chip being checked every sample period.